Ford Ranger 2025 review: Tremor

When a model range gets as complicated as the Ranger's, so does the pricing strategy. And you can see Ford has had to work hard to squeeze the Tremor into a logical price-point, making it just $50 more than a Wildtrak Bi-Turbo at $69,690. 

But crucially, and despite using that vehicle’s four-wheel drive system and suspension, the Tremor weighs in a full $4300 less than the Wildtrak X model (launched about 18 months ago and now, apparently, sold out), indicating that it may be some kind of bargain. Certainly, the high-end suspension alone would suggest that much.

Of course, it’s not that simple and the fact the Tremor is based on the Sport model while the Wildtrak X was, um, Wildtrak-based, tells you a bit more.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

The Tremor, therefore, lacks a few creature comforts the Wildtrak X picked up, including things like the ambient lighting, dashboard cupholders, the tray’s roller shutter and the info-screen shrinks from 12 inches to 10. Probably the biggest omission is the Wildtrak’s heated front seats.

Speaking of seats, only the Tremor’s driver’s seat is electrically adjustable (eight-way) and the passenger’s chair remains manually adjusted.

In better news, the Tremor brings dual-zone climate-control, a height and reach-adjustable steering column, three USB ports in the cabin and LED headlights.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

Options include a manual roller-shutter cargo cover ($3000), Ford’s flexible roof rack system ($2800), a 'Touring Pack' consisting of a cargo management system, 360-degree camera view system, puddle lamps and zone lighting and the 'Pro-Trailer' back-up system ($1650). All colours except white carry a $700 premium.

It's also interesting to look at a couple of the Tremor's most logical competitors to see where the Ford lands value-wise.

The Toyota HiLux Rogue and the Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior are dual cabs with a similar hardcore off-road flavour. And when you look at what they offer, you can see this is a very competitive place in the market.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

The Toyota costs $70,760 (or $71,530 if you opt for the - very - mild hybrid version dubbed Rogue 48V) but the Rogue package lacks any electric seat adjustability at all. On the flip side, it does get heated front pews which will be more valuable to some buyers. The Toyota also gets a smaller, 8.0-inch screen versus the Ford's 10-inch unit.

The Navara Warrior lists at $71,265 which is a fraction more up front, but it does feature that locally engineered suspension and protection package. Crucially, that includes a winch-compatible bullbar which, let's face it, is one of the first add-ons many owners shop for.

The Nissan also gets an 8.0-inch info-screen and while it's seats are, like the Toyota's, heated, like the Ford, only the driver's chair is electrically adjusted.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

On paper, the Nissan (seven-speed) and Toyota (six-speed) trail the Ford by having fewer transmission ratios, but in reality, it's just not an issue.

Mindful of the fact tradies tend to tow big , heavy trailers these days and that the typical caravan of a modern grey nomad is often the wrong side of three tonnes, Ford has ensured the taller suspension still allows for the Ranger’s usual 3500kg towing limit.

Sticking with towing, if you option up the Touring Pack, the Tremor gets Ford’s 'Trailer Reversing Guidance' which uses cameras and the rotary drive-mode dial to allow the driver to take the hassle out of trailer reversing. Up to a point, anyway. But there’s also a great check-list menu on the info-screen to detect failed trailer lighting and other problems.

The rotary dial is also the interface with the various drive modes, but, curiously, other off-road functions such as the rear differential lock and the 'Trail Turn Assist' are operated from the touchscreen. It’s hardly as intuitive and can take a bit longer to set things up just so.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

In the tray, a drop-in liner protects the metal bed and there’s a 12-volt socket in the tray. The tie-down system places some of the anchor points down low, but others are high and, therefore, of less use.

The sliding tie-down points are a nice touch, though, but the sports bar is really only for looks and has no practical role to play that we can see.

The box step at the side of the tray is very helpful, especially since the Tremor sits even higher than a standard Ranger Sport.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

In the cabin, there's loads of room front and rear and while the rear seat has a slightly upright backrest, the accommodation is way better than it once was in this type of vehicle.

The tilt and reach adjustable steering column is a huge bonus in terms of making the Ranger fit every family member, but the bonnet-release catch on the passenger's side of the cabin still has us wondering aloud.

The centre console bin is huge and features a pair of cupholders, and there's even under-seat storage.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

As well as the 12-volt outlet in the tray, the Tremor also boasts a pair of 12-volt sockets in the cabin (one front, one rear) and three USB ports.

Ford's 'Sync 4' connectivity is good and includes voice control, but, as many such systems do, it seems to prefer some mobile phones over others.

Rear air vents are a great addition even if they're only in the centre position and not in the rear of the B-pillars as well.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

And given this vehicle is all about off-roading, why hasn't Ford fitted it with paddle-shifters. They might sound like a gimmick in a dual-cab ute, but off-road, they're worth their weight in gold.

Finally, it mightn’t do much (anything) for fuel consumption, but Ford has made the automatic engine stop-start function an option this time around.

Instead of the driver switching it off each time they start the engine, Ford can permanently disable this tech as a no-cost option when the car is delivered new. Hallelujah.

The Tremor is fitted exclusively with the Ranger’s 2.0-litre twin-turbocharged diesel. In this form, it’s good for 150kW and 500Nm and uses AdBlue to clean up its tailpipe emissions.

While this engine is seen as the entry-level powerplant and is generally teamed with the simpler, part-time four-wheel-drive system, in the Tremor’s case, it isn’t that simple.

Following in the footsteps of the Wildtrak X version of the Ranger the Tremor is the only other non-V6 powered Ranger to pick up the more sophisticated permanent four-wheel drive set-up.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

This allows for an on-road four-wheel drive setting with a centre differential allowing all four wheels to be driven while on the bitumen. For those who tow – particularly on a wet road – this setting is pure gold-dust in terms of safety through more grip.

The improved drive system also makes way for a range of off-road modes including 'Sand', 'Mud/Ruts', 'Rock Crawl' and even a setting for towing.

The other headline aspect of the Tremor’s make-up is the suspension. Again, drawing from the Wildtrak X model, that car’s taller, off-road oriented springs and high-spec dampers complete with remote reservoirs are fitted to the Tremor.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

The Tremor also gets slightly smaller (17-inch) alloy wheels with All-Terrain tyres with a deeper sidewall to combine with the lifted suspension to give better ground clearance.

Off-road driving features include what’s called Trail Turn Assist that manipulates the brakes to make tighter turns off-road possible.

The flagship, hot-rod Raptor model also contributed, lending its off-road power-steering tune to the Tremor as well as 'Trail Control 3' which introduces finite electronic throttle control to aid off-roading at low speeds.

Ford Australia actually gives two combined cycle (urban, extra-urban) fuel consumption numbers for the Tremor; one with the auto stop-start activated and a second for when the owner opts to have this system disabled at the dealership.

In the case of the stop-start operating, the official number is 8.7 litres per 100km. But with the function disabled, that jumps to 9.3L/100km. The important thing to remember is that stop-start was largely invented to improve a car’s number on the official test.

In the real world it’s unlikely to make anything like that much difference, just as you’ll always struggle to match those official numbers away from the test-lab.

Based on a more realistic real-world figure of 10L/100km, the Tremor’s 80-litre fuel tank gives a realistic range of 700 or 800km. But don’t forget to ad the cost of AdBlue into your calculations.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor

This is another Ranger long suit and other makers are still struggling to provide as much safety as the Ranger manages, let alone integrating it in such a resolved manner.

Standard driver aids on the Tremor include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, trailer-sway control, lane-keeping assistance, post-crash braking, autonomous emergency braking, pre-collision assistance, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.

The Ranger also has no less than nine airbags including a driver’s knee bag and full-length curtain airbags for every outboard seating position.

The only thing missing as standard is the 360-degree camera system which is part of the $1650 Touring Pack.

2025 Ford Ranger Tremor